BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Strong Third Quarter Helps Newport Harbor

The Newport Harbor boys’ basketball team dominated the third quarter and went on to a 67-52 Sea View League victory over Tustin Monday.

The Sailors (9-6, 2-1 in league) outscored Tustin, 16-6, in the third quarter, including a 13-0 run, and took a 52-37 lead into the fourth quarter.

“That third quarter is what I’m happiest about,” Newport Harbor Coach Richard Smith said. “We usually struggle in the third quarter, but today I didn’t say much at halftime and we came out a little early and really played well.”

Smith also was pleased that his team played well without 6-foot-7 senior center Ramy Shoukry for most of the quarter.

Shoukry got his fourth foul in the first minute of the third quarter and sat out the rest for the quarter.

However, Shoukry finished with 19 points, scoring seven in the fourth quarter.

Freshman Danny Pulido helped in Shoukry’s absence; he finished with four points and 11 rebounds.

“Danny really played well tonight when we needed him to,” Smith said. “He handled himself really well for a freshman in a Sea View League varsity game.”

Both teams got off to a fast start, and Newport Harbor took a 37-31 halftime lead.

Guards Paul Tayyar and Juan Orellana also played well for Newport Harbor. Orellana had 13 points. Tayyar finished with 15, including a last-second, half-court shot to end the third quarter.

For Tustin (9-6, 2-1), point guard Doug Gottlieb scored 17 points and forward Aaron Kraus had 10.